INDIA: New rules open doors to private universities

The University Grants Commission (UGC) plans to recognise private universities set up through Acts of parliament for the first time under new regulations that remove a statutory obstruction to setting up private universities nationally, writes Charu Sudan Kasturi for The Hindustan Times.

Private universities can be established either by an Act of parliament or by state legislation under the new regulations for private varsities finalised by the UGC, top government officials said. The current regulations require a private university to be set up only through state Acts. The finalised regulations are now being vetted, sources said.

The move comes at a time when the government is keener than ever to attract private investment in higher education to meet its ambitious target of a 30% gross enrolment ratio in higher education by 2020. India's GER in higher education currently stands at 12.4%.
Full report on the Hindustan Times site